My hands clutched tightly to my backpack's straps. It wasn't 10 minutes that we had set ourselves on the journey to Mr. Greg's house. We were following Lars's lead as he was good with geography and maps. I honestly couldn't expect anything less from someone who's lived more than a century and has traveled the world.

People walked upon the wide main street of the city, taking upon themselves the loud chaos of merchants and customers as they made deals with what was offered. Their table and carts are filled with all types of goods. From fruits and veggies to spices and attire. To everyday household needs and personal care.

I could see how tempted Adira was to just dive herself into the clothing sector. She squealed and gasped as she pass by racks. Letting her fingers slightly brush against the fine linens before sprinting back to Lars's side and taking his hand in hers. He gave her a shake of his head, followed by a grin, as he knew her too well.

I couldn't help but smile. They were too adorable.

"That could've been me and you if only you chose me instead of that selfish prick". Cyan's arm wrapped around my shoulder. Pulling me against his chest.
My head lay upon his chest, and while His chest rose and fell I could hear each breath with ease. A smile crept onto his face and he simply lets it sit there.

The embarrassment was immense, and I could have hidden it as a child may have, but my cheeks redden like a tomato. "Let me go," I demanded.

His lips skimmed against my ear sending shivers down my spine.
His raspy voice retained a profound resonance, the kind that anchors your soul for a single moment in time. "Why do you do this to us. You know you belong with me," he said while tugging away locks of my hair.

"You are wrong, I control my destiny. Nor you nor some seer can say otherwise" and with force, I shoved him backward. It barely budge him but it did enough to make him let go of me.

It didn't take a second before Duncan had brought himself between Cyan and me. He gripped Cyan's shirt and lifted his fist, ready to knock him out. "I don't care if you are the king I will strike you down." I didn't waste another minute and established myself between them, pushing them apart.

"Enough!"

"This- this between us-" I said while pointing at them then at myself. "Needs to stop. What's important now is that we find my brother. That is my priority. Now both of you stop your alpha act and go help Lars. He's the only one who's done the most."

Both Cyan and Duncan opened their mouths to speak but I was quick to shut them down. "Now!'. Giving each other a final glare they proceeded up ahead.

I sighed as I shook my head, irritated that it appeared I was caring for two children instead of two centuries-old men.

I squinted my eyes as I took one more look in front of me. The sun was a brilliant lamp, radiating the everyday hues of the marketplace into vivid glows. Blooming upon the street with smiles of old and young people. The crowd had a life of its own. Busy for sure, but the hustle and bustle brought life to this city I wouldn't want to be without. It's the only time in the week that people aren't afraid to catch up with old friends or even make new ones. A time to be worried-free.

I love the vibe.

"Sienna."

That voice. Sounds familiar.

I turned around, staring at the man in front of me.

"Do you remember me?" He asked.

His brown eyes were as sweet as chocolate and as solid as oak. Deep brown married with lighter hues. And his hair, rich caramel to the deep earthy hues.
My eyes fell to the cane he held in his hand. Utilizing it to support himself. They then followed to his combat boots and last the cameo pants he wore.

"Ah what do you think?"

Different emotions filled me. I was stunned, glad, relieved yet confused. His grin widen and I couldn't help but smile back at him.

"Ekon!"

I wrapped my arms around his neck, giving him a tight hug. I finally pulled away giving him another look over.

"Look at you! I see you're doing very well."

He lightly shrugged while chuckling. "Well you might say that. I still need assistance. It hasn't been easy the last couple of months".

I nodded as I understood how stressful it was for him to get back on his feet after such an awful experience.

"Physical therapy must have been an ass right?"

"Yeah," he said with a faint chuckle.

"Are you still at the frontline?" I asked him.

He looked down at his feet, shaking his head. "Nah, they kicked me out. I'm not adequate anymore, my leg isn't how it use to be."

"I'm sorry."

Ekon shrugged. "Hey, at least I'm alive. Thanks to you and your mom."

"Unfortunately she's not with us anymore," I informed him.

"I know" he whispered.

"Huh?". How could he-

"Sienna!".

Ekon and I turned toward the people who yelled out my name. Duncan, Cyan, and everyone else were marching my way. Duncan was the first to arrive and he gripped my arm, yanking me towards him.

"What do you think you're doing talking to the military?!". Rage, he was so lost in that moment. I saw it first in his ocean-strong eyes, then the tension of his muscles.

" He- I mean-'

My body stiffened and as much as I tried to explain myself, my shock didn't allow me to.

His hands clasped my shoulders a little too tight and I wheeze. As he surveyed my eyes for an answer, for a moment I saw fear in his eyes.

Duncan scared? Not possible. Biologically he isn't programmed to fear anything. It's who he is. It's what an assassin must not be.

He would never hurt me, not intentionally. It was a reaction rather than a response, exhibiting the survival self rather than the rational and highly evolved person he is.

Was he afraid for my safety or- afraid of betrayal?

Cyan didn't waste a second before grasping Duncan's shoulder and jerking him backward with considerable force, making him stumble to the floor.

"You okay?" Cyan asked me, positioning his palm against my cheek while his thumb lightly brush against my cheekbone. His grey eyes had a settling effect, reassuring in their reflectiveness. It took me back to that day at the gymnasium. Our faces were so close... Such a gentleness.

I nodded.

Once he understood I was fine his mood instantly shifted. His body faced Ekon with fury.

"Hey hey! Relax people. We are just friends" Ekon announced as he tried to intervene against the guys' aggressive intrusion.

"Friends?" Everyone mumbled amongst themselves.

I faced everyone, standing beside Ekon. "Yes, he was a patient of my mother and me. We saved his life."

After a short silence, Cyan spoke, "Doesn't matter we are leaving", entwining his hand with mine he pulled me back towards the direction we were heading. I discreetly looked down at his hand that wrapped around my small hands. They were hands that spoke of the kind of precision that knew how to display what pertained to him, and more than a lifetime of strength, power, and misery. Quite cold as well, colder than usual.

Everyone else followed closely.

" I know what you are!" Ekon shouted.

Simultaneously everyone had stopped, twirling to face Ekon once again. Cyan's grip strengthens, "What did you just say?" He asked, taking a step forward to meet Ekon eye to eye.

I couldn't help but think why these men must grip me like some stress ball when they are upset or angry-

Ekon didn't back down. He didn't even seem scared or fazed by that knowledge.

"I said I know what you are. All of you, including you, Sienna," he said, his eyes narrowing down at me.

My shoulders stiffened and I felt my nails dig into Cyan's palm. How is that possible? How does he know about us- about me?

Cyan grinned. "Oh yeah? And what's that?".

Ekon hesitated, his gaze shifted back and forth between Cyan and me.

Finally, he said, " vampires."

"Then you must know how merciless we are. We can't let you walk away with such valuable information."

I glanced up at Cyan and Cyan's grin widened to a sinister look.

"Matter of fact I think you will because I have further information that might help you learn the truth about your family," Ekon said, his eyes shifting towards me once again.

"My-my family?"

"You want to find your brother? I know exactly where he is" Ekon confessed.

"We know where her brother is, we don't need your pathetic help!" Duncan said, stepping forward. Inclined to tear Ekon to shreds.

Why is he doing this? What does he know about my family? Kaden? He must have looked us up in the database- Vampires- I'm a vampire- he knows, he knows!

My mind kept asking all these questions. I felt very unease even frightened.

"Do you now? Will you spend the whole day looking for him? Wasting valuable time, what if he's in danger?" Ekon implied.

"My brother is in danger?!" I asked, the desperation vibrating through my voice.

Ekon shrugged, "he might be if we don't get to him on time."

"We?-" Cyan let go of my hand and grasped Ekon by the neck, lifting him. His cane dropped out of his hand and his feet dangled. His hand clutched around Cyan's wrist.

"What are you playing at? Who are you working for?"

"No one" Ekon mumbled as he tried to breathe but his air had been cut short by Cyan's big hand. "I'm just trying to help Sienna find her brother I owe her that much." I could see Ekon's face become purple as he struggled to breathe.

I couldn't bear it any longer. "Stop! Let him go" I said, gripping Cyan's arm I tried to pull his hand free from Ekon's neck.

His eyes were raging with wrath. It was the same look he had when he was executing Jax.

'Let him go man" Lars said.

"Cyan you're killing him!" Adira cried out.

Duncan on the other hand stared with amusement. He too wished for Ekon to die.

"Cyan please," I begged. I could see how Ekon was about to lose consciousness.

Suddenly Cyan let him go and Ekon fell. He lay on his back, gasping for air.

"Let's go," Cyan said.

I was debating going with them, I couldn't just leave Ekon lying there but I wasn't sure I could trust him.

As everyone was making their means to the direction we were indicating to go, I took a step to do the same but my wrist was clasped with another hand, stopping me in track. Ekon was sitting up, coughing as he looked up at me.

"Sienna you have to trust me. I want to help you. You don't know who you are dealing with-" His eyes darted towards the direction everyone went. "This is bigger than you can imagine. I can help you find your brother, I can keep him safe from all the danger that's lurking around."

My eyes scanned his posture, his tone of voice, his eyes, and my ears captured every single word. Somehow I knew he wasn't lying but there's something else and I don't know what. "You said you knew stuff about my family. Tell me what it is."

"Meet me here, tonight and I promise I can give you all the answers you need." Ekon slipped into my hand a piece of paper. "Now go."

I wanted to decline and demand the answers but I couldn't help but trust him for the time being. If he has any information on the whereabouts of my brother I must take it, even if it risks my life and the relationship I have with these vampires.

"Sienna! Now" Cyan's voice rippled through my ears, my head jerking backward to look at them as their stride exhibited strength and authority.

Looking down at Ekon again, I nodded and hurried after the group.